growing collection

This year I have aspired to grow my antique ring collection.  I have been very busy feverishly checking everywhere I can think and continuously searching sites to find just the right rings for just the right price.  It has become a slight obsession but the hunt and the eventual find is thrilling.  I have successfully found and added these stunning rings to my collection... Art Nouveau sapphire and seed pearl rose gold ring, Antique turquoise and seed pearl navette gold ring, Edwardian sapphire and diamond scroll shank gold ring, Antique diamond buttercup rose gold ring, Antique engraved signet gold ring, and, hopefully soon to be added to the collection, Victorian garnet gold ring!

beloved

Happy belated Mama's Day to all the mothers out there!  As a treat to myself for Mother's Day, I gave myself some time in my studio to make this lovely ring.  This hammered oxidized ring has Beloved stamped on one side, with my daughter's name stamped on the other.  This ring works wonderfully as a stacking ring with it's narrow top and I have been pairing it with a thin diamond band to represent my daughter's birthstone.  I love the rough, hand wrought texture of this band in contrast with the refined dainty nature of the diamond band.  This is my first attempt at making a ring that sits higher than it is wide, so there were a lot of learns, but overall I am very happy with the outcome.  And of course I love commemorating special days with jewelry!

for May babies

Look at this knockout!  I honestly feel like every emerald stone induces a feeling of sheer awe.  The color is unmatched and absolutely stunning. Particularly in the more translucent varieties, it looks like a light is glowing from inside the stone.  Truly magical for all those lucky May babies out there!

ring crush

Hardcore crushing on this double tourmaline ring!  Sadly it appears the vendor is closing down her etsy shop.  Hoping to convince her to make one last revival of this beautiful ring for me!

up, up and away!

My April baby just turned 3 this past weekend.  She had a very specific list of things she wanted for her birthday, "cake, candles, balloons, presents."  So a hot air balloon-themed party it was!  I can't believe my itty bitty baby has grown up into such a little lady!

for April babies

I asked myself, when thinking about writing this post, how does one choose just ONE diamond ring to showcase for an April birthstone post?!  It was an almost impossible task... until I saw this posted by my jewelry soul sister Diamonds in the Library.  This exquisite Art Deco dinner ring is epic.  And this, my friends, is how you CAN pick just one diamond ring to showcase.  Oh April babies, you are very lucky indeed!

meet the artist

Here are a few pictures from the Meet the Artist event at Arts Plus two weekends ago. Unfortunately, the rainy weather kept a lot of patrons away but I loved having the chance to talk to those that made it out, especially connecting with people within my own neighborhood.  It was also a great opportunity to talk with people about custom work!  I love working with customers on custom pieces... not only does it push me to create and work with different mediums and designs but it also is extremely inspiring to me to make a truly special, one-of-a-kind piece for my clients!